HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – With nine newcomers this season, Marshall Ray knew his freshmen class was going to be a big part of his second-year at the helm of the University of Evansville men's soccer team, and the group's importance was on full display Sunday as both Ian Gammon and Ben Weber buried their second-half chances to lead the Purple Aces to a 2-0 victory over Northern Kentucky at NKU Soccer Stadium.
"I think we have a different group from last year," Ray said. "Everyone is contributing, and the two freshmen both deserved the goals today. With the heat and coming off a late game on Friday, I don't think there's any question that our fitness paid off. We're fortunate to have the ability to use a bunch of different guys without seeing the level drop, and we needed all of them today."
The goals marked the first of each player's career, but they were hardly the only standout newcomers on the field as eight saw time in the contest, including freshman goalkeeper Frederik Reimer, who logged his first career clean sheet.
Perhaps dealing with the warm field conditions, neither team had much of a foothold in the early goings as the two sides combined for a total of three shots in the opening stanza. However, that would all start to change after the break as UE (1-1-0) began to dictate the play, ultimately breaking through in the 60
th minute when Weber nodded home the first goal after a Zac Blaydes corner kick. Jared Robinson, who scored the first UE goal of the season earlier this weekend, was also credited with an assist on the play.
NKU (0-1-1) would still prove formidable, nearly equalizing the affair a minute later, but Reimer was up to the challenge, saving the attempt. As the game neared its end, Gammon put the hosts' hopes to rest when he took a feed from Cesar Guitunga and beat NKU keeper Jared Leyland with a well-placed strike from the right side of the 18-yard box.
The Aces ultimately out-shot NKU 9-4 in the second 45 minutes, and finished the game with 14 corner kicks.
UE will return to action next weekend with the Hotels at Grand Prairie Soccer Series, which will be hosted by Bradley. Play will begin Friday evening before concluding on Sunday afternoon.
NOTES: Sunday marked just the second meeting with Northern Kentucky, which is now a fully-active NCAA Division I member and eligible for postseason play … Current players Zac Blaydes and Mikey Matic combined for three assists in last year's 4-0 win.
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